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Q/9 07) 



SERMONETTES 

IN VERSE 



BY 

CHARLES D. MEIGS 



US? 



MEIGS PUBLISHING CO. 

Sunday School Supplies 
INDIANAPOLIS - INDIANA 



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^ £.*' 



Copyright 1918 

BY 

MEIGS PUBLISHING CO. 
Indianapolis, Ind. 



AUG 14.1918 

©CLA501458 



HAMMOND PRESS 
W. B. CONKBY COMPANY 

CHIOAOO / 



*^0 ) 



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this little volume is affectionately 
dedicated to my beloved wife, annie, 
who has been my best and truest 
friend and helper for forty-five years. 

The Author. 



August 31 f 1908 



Mr ♦Charles D.Meigs, 

Indianapolis , Ind. 

My dear Mr#Keigs: 

Since the old days of 
our pleasant association, it is 
always with delight that I find 
new reminders of yoxir good self and 
gifts, and just now I am particularly 
gratified at finding some of your 
very clever verses, lightened and 
brightened from start to finish with 
the old-time brilliancy of your wit. 

Therefore I befe Jouto 
take the best appreciation and applause 



of 



J • W. R • 



Yours fraternally, 



INTRODUCTION 



THE chief difference between a 
sermon and a sermonette is a 
little matter of length. The sermon 
is long — occasionally too long, 
while the sermonette is short — 
seldom too short. 

The writer ventures to say one 
good word for his own sermonettes, 
viz., they are so nice and short that 
by the time a reader has had time to 
get tired reading one of them he 
has had ample time to get through 
with it! 

They are offered not only as helps 
to Sunday school convention work- 
ers, but for readings and recitations 
for special days and special services 
in the Sunday school. 

Sincerely yours, 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS 

Some drops of ink 
To make you think 

And some to make you pray, 
Then some to make you smile a while 

And chase the blues away. 

Some more to make you almost cry 
And shed a sparkling tear, 

Then make you wonder 

Why you cry 

When laughter is so near. 



[8] 



INDEX 



Page 

Contents 8 

Others n 

The Twenty-third Psalm 12 

The Sheep of the Flock 14 

My Bible 16 

What Is Home Without a Bible ? 18 

A Diamond in the Rough 20 

An Inter-denominational Motto 22 

If I Were You 23 

Try, Try Again 25 

Don't Try Again 27 

The Woodchuck Sunday-School 28 

Profanity 30 

Sunday-School Only for Kids 32 

Spiritual Power and How to Retain It 34 

Cheer Up 35 

A New Hymn for Sunday-School Shirkers 36 

Playing Cards 38 

Who? What? Where? When? 39 

Life's Changes 40 

The Song of the Nickel 41 

An Ode to Our Banner 43 

A Walk with God 45 

Double Trouble 46 

The Coming of the King 47 

[9] 



Page 

Decision Day 48 

Presentation Day 49 

Thanksgiving Day 50 

Build Higher 51 

When the Hat Was Passed 52 

A Note to the Cradle-Roll Babies 53 

An Ode to Texas 55 

Love Abounding 56 

What Some Folks Believe About the Bible 57 

The Canning Industry 58 

Just One Short Stanza on Tobacco 59 

My Worst Friend 60 

"Be Thou Faithful" 62 

The Lord's Prayer 64 

A Sure Cure for Delinquent Subscribers 65-68 

March Weather 69 

Get Off the Nest ! 70 

A Favorite Song 71 

John Trueman 72 

Uncle Sam and His Mother 75 

A Kind of a "Tea Party" 77 



[10] 



"OTHERS" 

Lord, help me live from day to day 
In such a self-forgetful way, 
That even when I kneel to pray 

My prayer shall be for — Others. 

Help me in all the work I do 
To ever be sincere and true, 
And know that all I'd do for you, 
Must needs be done for — Others. 

Let Self be crucified and slain 
And buried deep — and all in vain 
May efforts be to rise again, 
Unless to live for — Others. 

And when on earth my work is done 
And my new work in heaven's begun, 
May I forget the crown I've won, 
While thinking still of — Others! 

Others — Lord, yes, Others, 

Let this my motto be, 
Help me to live for Others 

That I may live like Thee ! 

the story of it 

There is a story told of General Booth, which inspired the above 
lines. At one time he desired to send a New Year's greeting, 
by telegram and cablegram, to all Salvation Army posts in the 
world. Cablegrams are expensive and have to be short. General 
Booth boiled his message down to a single word, but he was 
great enough to choose the biggest word in all the dictionary— 
"OTHERS" — so that was his message — and all of it. And if it 
had not been for that telegram the poem would never have been 
written. 

[ii] 



THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM 

If the Lord is my Shepherd 

Then I am His sheep, 
O ! the thought fills my soul with delight, 

For we pasture together by still waters deep 
And we shelter together by night. 

Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd 

And I am His sheep, 
O ! my cup runneth over the brim, 

For I'm fully persuaded He's able to keep 
That which I have committed to Him. 

I was once a lost sinner (and sadly it's told), 

I rejected His infinite grace, 
But He bought me and sought me and brought 
me to fold, 

Safe enwrapped in His loving embrace. 

I'm the very same sheep 
That went very far wrong 

In that beautiful story of old, i 
He's the very same Shepherd 
That sought me so long, 

Ere He carried me back to the fold. 

And through my whole life 
My good Shepherd He's been, 

And His constant protection He gives. 

[12] 



He has loved me and saved me in spite of my sin ; 
And will do it as long as He lives ! 

Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd, 
And I am His sheep, 

O ! the thought fills my soul with delight, 
For we pasture together by still waters deep, 

And we shelter together by night. 



[13] 



THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK 

We oft hear the plea for trying to keep 
The Lambs of the flock in the fold ; 

And well we may — but what of the sheep? 
Shall they be left out in the cold ? 

'Twas a sheep — not a lamb — 
That wandered away 

In the parable Jesus told. 
A grownup sheep that had gone far astray 

From the ninety and nine in the fold. 

Out in the wilderness, out in the cold, 

'Twas a sheep that the good Shepherd sought. 

And back to the flock — safe into the fold — 

'Twas a sheep that the "Good Shepherd" 
brought. 

And why for the sheep do we earnestly long, 
And as earnestly hope and pray? 

Because there is danger — if they go wrong, 
They will lead the lambs away ! 

For the lambs will follow the sheep, you know, 

As far as the sheep may stray. 
If the sheep go wrong, it will not be long 

Till the lambs are as wrong as they. 

[14] 



And so for the sheep we earnestly plead 
For the sake of the lambs today, 

If the lambs are lost, what terrible cost! 
Some sheep will have to pay! 



[is] 



MY BIBLE 

"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He 
expounded unto them, in all the scriptures, the things 
concerning Himself!" — (Luke 24:27.) 

Book of all books! Book divine! 
All, and always, thou art mine! 
From beginning through to end, 
I may still on thee depend; 
Infidels still love to scout thee, 
Critics high breed doubts about thee, 
Devils low would gladly rout thee — 
If they could — thou book sublime ! 

Higher critics — lowered creeds — 
Fail to satisfy my needs. 
My soul hungers to be fed 
With divine — not human — bread! 
I need something God hath spoken, 
My heart craves inerrant token, 
That His Word can ne'er be broken ! 
This — my very soul demands ! 

Let the critics still rebuke 
Moses, and his Pentateuch! 
Let them question what he wrote, 
To their heads' content — I note — 
That He who walked upon the sea 

[16] 



And raised the dead in Galilee, 
Of Moses said — "He wrote of me!" 
Divine interpretation! 

Jesus Christ — the holy one, 

God's all-wise, eternal son, 

He who at twelve years of age 

Taught the book to Jewish sage — 

Found no myth in Jonah story; 

Found in Job no "allegory" ! 

But with light shed down with glory, 

Found Himself — throughout it all! 

Then to Jesus let us look 
To interpret His own Book! 
He who said and also willed, 
"Every jot shall be fulfilled," 
Knezv 'twas heaven's revelation, 
Never questioned "inspiration," 
Ever taught its close relation — 
To Himself — blest book of mine ! 



[17] 



WHAT IS HOME WITHOUT 
A BIBLE? 

"What is home without a Bible?" 
'Tis a place where day is night — 

Starless night — 

For o'er life's pathway 
Heaven can shed no kindly light. 

"What is home without a Bible?" 
'Tis a place where daily bread 

For the body — is provided, 
But the soul is never fed! 

"What is home without a Bible?" 

'Tis a vessel, on the sea, 
Compass lost — and rudder broken — 

Drifting, drifting — aimlessly. 

"What is home without a Bible?" 
Listen! ponder, while I speak. 

'Tis a home with Bibles in it! 
But — not opened — once a zveek! 

Monday comes and goes; and Tuesday, 
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, too, 

Saturday, and even Sunday ! 

Book untouched the whole week through! 

[18] 



Lost! the Bible! 

Lost! its teachings! 

Lost ! its help each day in seven, 

Lost — to live by — 

Lost — to die by! 

Lost? What's lost? 

The way to heaven! 



19] 



A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH 

The Worth of a Boy 

A diamond in the rough 
Is a diamond sure enough, 
For before it ever sparkles 
It is made of diamond stuff! 

Of course, some one must find it, 
Or it never will be found, 
And then some one must grind it! 
Or it never will be ground. 

But when it's found, 
And when it's ground, 

And when it's burnished bright, 
That diamond's everlastingly 

Just flashing out its light! 



O ! teacher in the Sunday-school 
Don't say, "I've done enough!" 

That worst boy in your class may be 
"A diamond in the rough!" 

[20] 



Perhaps you think he's grinding you! 

And possibly you're right ; 
But it may be you need grinding, 

To burnish you up bright ! 



[21] 



AN INTER-DENOMINATIONAL 
MOTTO 

The Secret of Highest Success 
(Good Also for Family Use!) 

If I help you 

And you help me, 
We both are helped, 

That's plain to see. 

And I am sure, 

And so< are you, 
'Tis what our Lord 

Would have us do. 

Then when we do 

'Tis sure that He 
Will help and bless 

Both you and me. 

I'm sure my creed 

Will stand it— Brother, 
Will yours ? If so, 

We'll help each other. 

Then creeds and deeds 

Will well agree: 
When I help you, 

And you help me ! 

— (Galatians 6:2.) 

[22] 



IF I WERE YOU 

A recitation for a four or five year old, written espe- 
cially for use on "Rally Day." 

If I were you, 

I'd think about as you do, 

I expect; 

If I were you, 

I'd talk about as you do, 

I expect; 

If I were you, 

I'd do about as you do, 

I expect; 

And so, if I were you, 

I'd think, and talk, and Do 

Just about as you Do, 

I expect! 

And that is why I'm glad 
I am not you ! 
And do as you do ; 
But am myself! 
And do as / do ! 

For, if I were some of you, 
I'd think the Sunday-school 
Could get along without me; 
I'd say, " Tis not for me, 

[ 23 ] 



But others all about me." 
I'd do some things — I fear — 
To make some people doubt me! 

Now can't you see how bad 'twould be, 
If I were you, instead of me? 
And don't you see how nice 'twould do, 
If you were me, instead of you? 

Because — if you zvere, me — 

Then you would think 

About as / think, 

I expect; 

And you would talk about as / talk, 

I expect; 

And you would do about as I do, 

I expect. 

And then, of course, 

The Sunday-school you'd not neglect 

As you do ; 

But you'd come 

Every Sunday, 

I expect! 

As/ 

Do! 



[24] 



TRY, TRY AGAIN 

If at first you don't succeed, 

Try, try again; 
This injunction most folks need, 

To try, try again. 

But — if you do not care to try, 
And do not even try to care, 
Failure's yours, that's sure enough, 
Because, somehow, you lack the stuff, 
'Twill try, try again! 

Some folks, when they're asked to try, 
Like enough, will ask you "Why?" 
Then turn in and yawn and sigh, 
And — sigh, sigh again! 

Others, when they're asked to try, 

Will answer "Yes"— but— "bye and bye," 

Then put it off— until they lie! 

And — lie, lie again! (Little white lies!) 

Such as these, O my! my! 
Where'll they go to when they die? 
What shall be said of them ? O fie ! 
And fie ! fie ! again ! 

Others, though (God bless them!), why, 
When you ask them, if they'll try, 

[25] 



And they say, "Yes" — then, live or die ! 
They'll go to work and try and try, 
And — try, try again! 

Then keep right on and try some more! 
(If need be) harder than before. 

You see they're made of kind of stuff 

That never winces at rebuff, 

They don't "fall down" and sigh or cry 

Should failure come first time they try. 

They don't give up, they don't complain, 

They just turn in and try again! 

And — try, try again! 

Until they "get there l" "all O. K." 

And that leaves nothing more to say ! 



[26] 



"DON'T TRY AGAIN!" 

If at first you don't succeed, 

Don't try again! 
Somehow I don't see no need to — 

"Try, try again." 
Tryin' oncet suits me the best, 
After that I'd sooner rest; 
Tryin' twist e just makes me tired, 
Always — even when I'm hired! 

Tryin' goes agin my grain! 
Don't ast me to try again. 
That old duffer's in his coffin 
Who told folks to try so offin ! 
And now — just 'twixt you and me — 
That's jist where he'd ort to be! 
And — you'll notice I ain't cryin' 
'Cause he killed hisself a tryin' ! 

I don't b'lieve in askin' men 
6 or 8 or 9 or io 
Times to jine your Bible class! 
Ast 'em oncet and let it pass. 
My own motto suits me best, 
'Cause it gives me time to rest. 
If at first you don't succeed, 
Don't try again ! 

[27] 



THE WOODCHUCK AND THE 
SUNDAY-SCHOOL 

"When the frost is on the pumpkin 
And the fodder's in the shock," 
And the weather looks just like it's going to 
snow, 

Then the woodchuck finds a hole 

And into it he'll crawl, 
And pull the hole in after him, you know ! 

And through all the wintry days 
In that hole that woodchuck stays, 
And he sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps, 
and sleeps! 
But, quite early in the spring, 
Ere you hear the birdies sing, 
From that hole that hungry woodchuck slowly 
creeps. 

He has gone without his dinner 

Till he couldn't get much thinner; 

'Tis a wonder he's not climbed the golden ladder ! 

But he leans against a tree, 

While he squints around to see, 
If wliafs left of him will cast a sickly shadder. 

Just here we'll draw the screen 
O'er the sad, distressing scene, 

[28] 



And brush away a tear, when we remember, 
How many Sunday-schools — sad fate ! — 
Like the woodchucks hibernate, 

Along about the middle of November. 



29 



PROFANITY 

It does not pay in any way, 
And yet you do it every day, 

As if it paid you well. 
'Tis most unprofitable sin 
That foolish man indulges in. 

The reason? Let me tell. 

There's not one-half the sense in it 
There is in stealing — wait a bit ! 

And I will show you why; 
You steal my dollar and you'll be 
A dollar bill ahead of me — 

That is — until you die! 

But you can curse and you can swear 
The whole day through and everywhere, 

Until your breath is spent; 
But — when night comes — without a doubt 
You'll have no trouble finding out 

You're not ahead one cent! 

Yet, you have sinned the whole day long, 
And in God's sight have done as wrong 

As if you'd got my cash ! 
I'm sorry, brother, this is true, 

[30] 



Because it is so hard on you! 
O ! why are you so rash ? 

For sin is sin and sin is wrong, 
And swearing does to sin belong, 

And God forbids it all ! 
O! "cut it out!" I wish you would; 

Please do not say you couldn't. 
There's every reason why you should, 

And not one why you shouldn't! 



[31] 



SUNDAY-SCHOOL ONLY FOR 
KIDS 

CHORUS 

Oh, dear! what can the matter be! 
Oh, dear! what can the matter be! 
Oh, dear! what can the matter be! 
If Sunday-school's only for kids? 

The fathers and mothers, 

They seldom come nigh us ; 
Big sisters and brothers 

Their presence deny us. 
Somehow I've a feeling 

They're not over-pious — 
Where "Sunday-school's 

Only for kids" ! (chorus) 

The deacons and elders 

Don't seem much inspired ; 
The trustees and stewards 

Are often "too tired." 
And every last one of them 

Ought to be fired! 
When Sunday-school's 

Only for kids! (chorus) 

The preacher himself 

Needs a little awaking; 

[32] 



The fathers and mothers 
They need a good shaking! 

And all the church officers 
Need a good raking! 

When Sunday-school's 
Only for kids! 

CHORUS 

Oh, dear! what can the matter be? 
Oh, dear ! what can the matter be ? 
Oh, dear ! what can the matter be? 
Where Sunday-school's 
Only for Kids? 

NOTE — This bit of verse was suggested by the old 
song — 

"O! dear what can the matter be — ? 

Johnny's not home from the fair!" 
It was written before the days of the Organized Adult 
Bible classes. It was also suggested by a story of a Sun- 
day-school teacher who — one Sunday — was going out of 
the church when she met a boy who had for some years 
been in her Sunday-school class. Accosting him she said: 
"Well, George — how are you? Have you been away from 
home? I have missed you from our class for four or five 
weeks. Can't you come next Sunday?" 

"No — I've quit. My father don't go. Sunday-school's 
only for kids anyhow," and off he went. 

(That was before the days of the Adult Bible classes.) 



33 



SPIRITUAL POWER AND HOW 
TO RETAIN IT 

You cannot turn the mill 
With the water that has passed, 
Nor can you make it go 
With water that won't How. 
And so it is with power: 
You must use it — every hour. 
And replenish the supply 
As the hours hurry by ! 



[34] 



CHEER UP! 

When things go wrong, 

Just right along, 

And tears your eyes are bringing, 

Turn thoughts above 

To God's great love — 
And try — Singing! 

When clouds hang low, 

With no rainbow, 

And you feel much like crying, 

Just hope you'll find 

Them silver lined — 
And keep right on — a Singing ! 

When all looks dark, 

And though you hark, 

You hear no glad bells ringing! 

Yet know each day, 

God leads the way — 
And don't neglect your — Singing! 

If sing you can't, 

Then I must grant 

The case looks somewhat hopeless. 
But don't despair, 
There's help somewhere ! 

Try Whistling! 

[35] 



A NEW HYMN 

For Sunday-school Shirkers 

There's a wideness in God's mercy 

That is wider than the ocean, 
And the wideness of it fills us 

With contentment, in the notion 
That we're all agoin' to heaven — 

Goin' to heaven when we die — 
Singing operatic music 

As we penetrate the sky. 

We're "professors," don't you know it? 

Why, we all belong to church ! 
And we pay up what we owe it — 

(To be sure, 'taint very much!) 
But when protracted meetin's on 

We get converted — slightly; 
And for something like a month or so, 

Our light's a shinin' brightly! 

Yes, we own we're not consistent, 
But you know that's not expected. 

We're but human, and our business ! 
Well, it cannot be neglected. 

But we're always at the social, 
In the church, or 'at the lecture, 

[36] 



And how any mortal can do more 
We really can't conjecture! 

We're believers in the Sunday-school 

With all our main and might. 
And believers in prayer meeting 

Every blessed Wednesday night. 
To be sure, we don't attend them, 

But that's neither here nor there, 
For we're ready to commend them 

And defend them everywhere! 

We've aimed to live an honest life 

And pay our honest debts; 
And we've been so pious honest 

That we've often paid our bets ! 
And even in a horse trade 

We've been honest, and we've showed it, 
For we've never took advantage 

When the other fellow knowed it! 

We prefer to go to heaven 

In a flow'ry bed of ease, 
A new spring mattress just our size 

And a downy pillow, please; 
For there's wideness in God's mercy, 

And 'twill be a great surprise, 
If we fail to close the mortgage 

On our mansion in the skies! 

No, thank you, we'll not need a harp ; 
Can get along without it : 

[37] 



We're not in practice anyway, 
And don't care much about it. 

And it's most too much like workin' 
To be tuning up the thing, 

Especially if you accidentally 
Chance to break a string! 

chorus 
O ! we're all agoin' to heaven, 

Straight to heaven when we die! 
For we've got a blanket mortgage 

On a mansion in the sky. 
We'll foreclose it just as easy 

And have it all our own, 
Then we'll take it nice and lazy, 

Just a loafin' round the throne! 



PLAYING CARDS 

If Christians who 
With deck of cards 

Are found expert at playing, 
It is quite true 

The game retards 

Their expertness at praying! 



[38] 



WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? 

You may be a millionaire, 

And live in luxury; 
You may be a poor pauper, 

And live in penury. 
But, however that may be, 

Heaven's gate stands ajar 
For You — poor sinner — 

No matter Who you are! 

Yes, no matter Who you are! 

You may be a vile sinner, 

To passion be a slave; 
You may be a poor drunkard, 

Staggering to your grave. 
You may go far from heaven, 

But you'll never get so far 
That Jesus will not Love you, 

No matter What you are! 

Yes, no matter What you are ! 

You may be a weak Christian, 

With talents but a few; 
You may live in a corner, 

Where there's not much to do; 
You may wander round the earth, 

Here and there, near and far, 

[39] 



Still the Holy Ghost can use you, 
No matter Where you are! 

Yes, no matter Where you are! 

Yes, God's love can welcome you, 

No matter Who you are; 
And Christ's blood can cleanse you, 

No matter What you are. 
The Holy Ghost can use you, 

No matter Where you are, 
The moment you are willing, 

No matter When you are ! 



LIFE'S CHANGES 

O ! the changes, changes, changes ! 

That are going on about us; 
How unexpectedly they come, 

How suddenly they rout us ! 
O! how often they depress us, 

And how often they distress us, 
But still oftener they bless us 

With the blessings that we crave; 
And they lift us, and they gift us, 

If we're faithful, true and brave, 
And they lift, and drift, and shift us, 

From the cradle to the grave ! 



[40] 



THE SONG OF THE NICKEL 

I'm only a nickel, I know, I know; 

But around and around the world I go. 

O ! the things I have seen and the things I have 

heard 
Could never be told in the biggest big word. 

But I'm not content with the way I am spent, 
For often and often I have to lament 
The thoughtless, extravagant way I am used, 
For even by Christians I'm often abused. 

Why, many a time I've been frittered away 
(By deacons and elders, I'm sorry to say), 
For a cheap cigar, and I am often spent 
As freely as if I were only a cent! 

My feelings get hurt when I'm all through the 

week 
Just counted worth nothing by people who seek 
To gratify appetite, 'cause I can see, 
They don't care a snap of their fingers for me ! 

'But when Sunday comes and the basket's in 

sight, 
O dear! how they love me, and squeeze me so 

tight ! 

[41] 



Why, they count me a dollar, and let go a sigh, 
If they let go of me, when the basket comes by. 

They don't seem to care for the heathen at all, 

And not much for Him who died for them all; 

But for me! gracious, goodness! O my! and 
O my! 

If they do give me up, they first kiss me good- 
bye! 

Now, into that basket I'd just love to go! 
In pairs or in dozens, a hundred or so! 
For somehow I've a feeling I'm out on a bum! 
When frittered away for tobacco or rum, 
(Or even for gum!) 



[42] 



AN ODE TO OUR BANNER 

NOTIC — In organized Sunday school work, in state, county 
and township organizations, attractive banners are often given 
when certain standards are reached. 

Oh, Banner ! you're a beauty, 

And there's no mistake about it ; 
You have helped us do our duty, 

Notwithstanding you may doubt it. 
You have told us very clearly 

Just exactly what to do, 
And really that is nearly 

Half the battle, and more, too ! 

A, B, C was never clearer 

Than the things you have required. 
God seems nearer, children dearer, 

In the zeal you have inspired. 
You have put us on our muscle, 

Kept us active in our work, 
Helped us rustle, made us hustle, 

Till we felt ashamed to shirk. 

But, Banner, understand us: 

Of you we are not boasting. 
We are merely now indulging 

In a little bit of toasting. 
You're not put up for ornament, 

You're not put up for show, 
But you stand for things accomplished 

For God and man, you know ! 

[43] 



Four counties of us lost you 

This year, which makes us frown, 
And we wonder who we ought to blame 

For haulm' of us down. 
But we love you, though we lost you, 

And we promise you today, 
That before another year rolls by 

We'll put you up to Stay ! 

You're the dearest little Banner 
Ever won in Indianer, 

And we're playing "Yankee Doodle" 
On a very "grand pianer" ! 



[44] 



A WALK WITH GOD 

God! my Father, grant, I pray, 
That I with Thee may walk this day. 
Let this my joy, my comfort be, 
Thou condescend'st to walk with me ! 

Then take my hand in Thine, I pray, 
And lead me safely all the way; 
Yes, take my hand and ne'er let go, 
If Thou shouldst find I walk too slow! 

If Thou shouldst bid me run with Thee, 
How far behind I soon would be ! 
Then, O my Father, Thou must wait 
For me, and my poor human gait! 

Wait, Lord! I stumbled! almost fell! 
I'm glad Thou heldst my hand so well ! 
But, Father, it would safer be 
If both my hands were held by Thee ! 

Yes, that is better! Now I see, 
It brings me closer up to Thee. 
How strong Thou art ! how firm Thy grip, 

1 cannot fall, e'en though I slip! 

God, my Father! now I find 

1 need not loiter on behind! 

[45] 



But daily I may walk with Thee, 
Because Thou lov'st to walk with me! 



Onward and upward, every day, 
Gently He leads me on the way. 
Yes, leads and feeds and waters, too, 
As if He'd nothing else to do! 

And when at length no longer I 
Can walk, and scarcely even try! 
Weary and footsore, O then He, 
In His safe arms will carry me ! 

O! what a blissful place to rest, 
Upon His great love-heaving breast ; 
O soul of mine! lie still, at last 
Thine every danger's safely past! 



DOUBLE TROUBLE 

He who borrows trouble 

Oft finds his stock and store 
Is then exactly double 

The amount he had before. 
So what's the use in borrowing 

When already you have more 
Of worrying and sorrowing 

Than you've any real use for? 



[46] 



THE COMING OF THE KING 

It is a time to watch and pray, 

A time to work, "while it is day." 

It is a time to ready be 

For "the coming of the King." 

It is a time when all the earth 
Is groaning with the pains of birth, 
The birth of nations in a day, 
For the coming of the King. 

It is a time when prophecy 
Is ripening fast, 'tis plain to see 
The end is near ; the signs are right 
For the coming of the King. 

It is a time when Godless men 
Should quake and fear, and tremble when 
Conditions loudly herald 
The coming of the King. 

It is a time for Christian zeal, 
In fearful interest to reveal, 
To those who are not ready 
The coming of the King. 

Come quickly, O Thou King of kings ! 
And straighten out the crooked things 
Which postpone the millennium — till — 
The coming of the King! 

[47] 



DECISION DAY 

"Time flies," and swiftly on we go, 
Nor can we check it night or morn, 

No matter if the clock runs slow, 
Or even stops : time hurries on ! 

Time flies, and with it we must fly, 

For even if we break a wing 
And flutter, fall and prostrate lie, 

We cannot stop ; there's no such thing. 

Oh, Christian ! lift thy voice on high, 
And praise God for salvation given. 

Thou need'st not fear if time does fly ! 
It only wings thee on t'wards heaven. 

But, sinner, listen, stop and think, 

Time's pushing thee towards thy tomb, 

Ere long thy feet will touch the brink, 

And slip! What then will be thy doom? 

Oh, sinner, turn! why will ye die? 

Repent, believe! decide this day! 
Surrender now! Oh, sinner, try 

To be a Christian — while you may! 



[48] 



PRESENTATION DAY 

Jude 24 — "Now unto Him who is able to keep you 
from falling, and to present you faultless before the 
presence of His glory, with exceeding joy. 

Jude 25 — To the only wise God Our Saviour — be glory 
and majesty, dominion and power, both now and 
forever — Amen. 

Before Jehovah's glorious throne 
Ye Christians stand in white array; 

The day of judgment past and gone, 
And this is Presentation day! 

On Calvary thy sins were judged, 
The punishment deserved by thee 

Was meted out to God's own son, 
And lo ! this day thou goest free. 

Spotless thy robe, like driven snow; 

Crimson thy sins no more appear ; 
Stainless and sinless thou mayest go, 

Free from the law, and free from fear ! 

Oh, Christ! since in Thy death we see 
That all our sins are washed away, 

Dread Judgment day turns out to be 
A joyous Presentation day! 



Sinner, O sinner ! Turn ye now ; 

Believe ! Receive ! Make no delay, 
Before thy Lord repentant bow; 

'Twill be too late on Judgment Day. 

[49] 



THANKSGIVING DAY 

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift, 
For with it comes His smiling face, 
His tender love, sustaining grace; 
Forgiveness full, salvation free, 
For time, and all eternity! 

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift, 
For with it comes His constant care, 
His ready answer to our prayer; 
His guiding hand, His keeping power, 
In trials and temptation's hour. 

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift, 
Which takes all fear of death away, 
And all our dread of Judgment day, 
And gives instead assurance sweet, 
That at God's bar a friend we'll meet! 

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift, 
Since this great gift salvation gives; 
We need not fear for lesser things. 
"Be not afraid," "Only believe," 
"Ask what vou will," "Ye shall receive." 



[50] 



BUILD HIGHER 

A little bird, poor foolish thing, 
Once built its nest, in early spring, 

And built it near the ground, 
Amid the branches of low bush, 
The thoughtless, heedless little thrush, 

Poor place to build had found. 
How strange ! It showed not least desire 
To* build secure, by building higher! 

And sometimes man the same will do. 
I wonder if that man is You ? 

The nest was made, the eggs were laid, 
And little bird seemed unafraid, 

To build so near the ground. 
Upon the tiny eggs she sat 
Till they were hatched — then prowling cat! 

The nest of birdlings found ! 
And mother bird was full of woe, 
Because she'd built her nest so low, 

So very near the ground. 

And sometimes man will do the same, 
When he's no one but self to blame. 

Wouldst thou a "mansion in the sky" 
Possess? Then soul of mine build high, 
Pitch tent near heaven's gate! 

[so 



That when life's pilgrimage is o'er 
Thy soul will have not far to soar 
To reach celestial state. 

My soul, beware ! Be thou not found 
Building, thrushlike, too near the ground; 
But, larklike soar, and larklike sing! 
And heavenward rise on heaven-bound wing! 



WHEN THE HAT WAS PASSED 

One old chap threw in a nickel, 
Looking sour as a pickle! 
Reason? Well, it made him mad 
To find 'twas smallest change he had! 
He much preferred to give a penny; 
Alas ! he found he hadn't any ! 
But — it cheered him quite a little bit, 
To see it had a hole in it! 



[52] 



A NOTE TO THE CRADLE ROLL 
BABIES 

(Intended for Their Mothers) 

Dear little Cradle Roll Babies, I know, 

You are not very big, but I'm sure you will grow, 

And while you are growing, 

You'll become very knowing, 
And this is the thing that I want to know 

That your mamma has promised 

That when you can talk, 
And when you quit creeping, 

And know how to walk, 
You may come to the Sunday-school 

Every Lord's Day, 
Where I may help teach you 

To sing and to pray. 

I will tell you of Jesus, 

Your mother's best friend, 
Who loved her so much 

He concluded to send 
Her a dear little baby 

To make her heart brim 
Full of joy, thanksgiving 

And praises to Him ! 

[53] 



And you are the dear little baby He sent, 
The very same one which to mamma He's lent, 
To keep and to nurture, to cherish and love, 
And try and prepare you for heaven above. 

And O! may she have the sweet comfort of 

knowing, 
That as you keep living and loving and growing, 
She is doing her duty by you every day, 
And never neglecting to hope and to Pray! 
That her life may be such that the Lord may 

infer 
That He made no mistake when He loaned you 

to her, 
And may she become, both in word and in deed, 
Exactly the kind of a mother You need! 



[S4l 



AN ODE TO TEXAS 

O Texas ! Texas ! Texas ! 

You're a grand and glorious state! 
Texas cattle, Texas ponies, 

Texas cowboys — all are great! 
Texas preachers, Texas poets, 

Texas songbirds, one and all; 
Texas ladies, Texas babies, 

Texas children, great and small; 
Texas skies and Texas climate, 

Texas sunsets and sunrises; 
Texas flowers, Texas everything — 

Is full of glad surprises! 
Texas Sunday-schools and churches, 

Texas prairies broad and grand! 
O Texas ! Texas ! Texas ! 

You're a modern Promised Land! 



[55] 



LOVE ABOUNDING 

Courage, brother, 

Do not fear, 
Christ, our Lord, 

Is always near; 
Near, to help us, 

When we trust, 
Near to try us, 

When He must. 
Always loves us, 

Always will ! ' 
E'en when faithless, 

Loves us still! 
Loves us, 

When we're good or bad! 
Loves us, 

When we're glad or sad ! 
Loves us, 

When we're weak or strong ! 
Loves us, 

Whether right or wrong! 
Love like this, 

So full, so free, 
Loves on, 

Through All Eternity! 



[56] 



WHAT SOME FOLKS SAY 
ABOUT THE BIBLE 

The Atheist — 

First : It can't be true ! 
Second : It sha'n't be true ! 
Third : And I'll be switched if I'd believe 
it if it were true ! 

The Infidel — 

First: It couldn't be true! 
Second: It shouldn't be true! 
Third: It would never convert me, if it 
were true! 

The Skeptic — 

First: It could be true! 
Second: It should be true! 
Third : If it were not for some things in 
it, it would be true ! 

The Christian — 

First: I know it's true! 

Second: Clear through and through! 

Third: I thank God I do! 

Questions — 

First: Which are You? 

Second: Which would you rather be? 

Third: Which are you going to be? 

Fourth : Why ? When ? 

[57] 



THE CANNING INDUSTRY 

In the summer season of the year 

The canning factories all appear 

To be awfully busy, running day and night. 

Corn and beans and ripe tomatoes, 

Everything (except potatoes!) 
Are canned up for the winter good and tight. 

We've canned apples by the millions, 

Canned peaches by the billion, 

Canned pears in "carload lots," we often read of ; 
Canned butterbeans and beets and peas, 
And e'en canned pumpkin, if you please; 

Canned everything that hungry man has need of ! 

But along about November, 

Or, the first week in December, 

When the day-school's in its prime without a 
doubt, 
Then the officers and teachers 
(With the permit of the preachers), 

Can up the Sunday-school and "freeze it out." 

As a rule the roads are splendid; 

Pikes are free, the toll suspended; 

Six days a week they're traveled day and night ! 

[58] 



But when Sunday comes it's lawful 
(For the roads are "something awful"), 
And it's then the Sunday-school is "canned up" 
tight. 

Oh ! friends what mean you by it ? 

You could run it if you'd try it! 

Every Sunday in the year, if you'd but care to. 

But to "can it up" and stop it, 

And deliberately drop it — 
Well, we don't quite understand just how you 
dare to! 



JUST ONE SHORT STANZA ON 
TOBACCO 

(With Whatever Apology It Calls for Offered 
in Advance) 

If I could have my own sweet way, 

I'd never do a chore; 
I'd chaw tobacker night and day, 

And spit forever more! 



[59] 



MY WORST FRIEND 

I am the worst friend that I have; 

It would be good for me 
To cut my own acquaintance 

And not 'sociate with me. 

For oftentimes I curse and swear, 

I know it is not right, 
Yet I compel myself to bear 

On heart and soul, this blight. 

Sometimes I doubtful stories tell, 
Which makes it plain to see, 

That wife and I would both do well 
To turn our backs on me ! 

I can't believe one-half I say, 
And could not if I would ; 

'Tis hard on me to live with me; 
I'd leave me if I could! 

To have to eat and drink and sleep 
With one who lies like me, 

Would backslide any Bishop 
In a month or two or three! 

I smoke a pipe until my breath 
Makes people seasick, see? 

If I were not afraid of death, 
I'd feel like drowning me! 

[60] 



For when I try to kiss my wife, 
Whose breath is like the rose, 

She has to turn her cheek to me 

So she can hold her— (say it yourself!) 

I am a thief, I know I am, 

There's no use to deny it, 
For whenever I can steal a thing, 

I seldom ever buy it ! 

My children are afraid of me, 

Because of things I do; 
For when I'm drunk my neighbors see 

Me curse them black and blue. 

I have a dog, an ugly brute, 

And snarling cross is he, 
And yet I treat that savage dog 

Better than I treat me. 

Yes, I'm the worst friend that I have; 

I need some one to be 
A friend indeed — a friend in need — 

To save myself from me! 



You surely do, 'tis sadly true, 

Yet there's full cure for even you. 

Just give yourself to Jesus Christ, 
And see what He can do — 
Even, for You ! 

NOTE— This was suggested l»y M A r -Cohan's delight- 
ful little poem entitled "MYSELF AND ME." 

[61] 



"BE THOU FAITHFUL" 

Who tries his very best 
To do the thing he ought, 
Yet, spite of earnest effort, 

Seems to fail, 
Should not discouraged be, 

Nor at his post of duty ever quail. 

The crown of life is promised, 
Not to him who- great success achieves 
(Perhaps by help from others he receives) 
But to the faithful one, 

E'en though his best be poor, 
The crown is promised, 

And reward is sure. 

It is no sin to seem to fail in life 

When thou hast done thy best. 
It is thy faithfulness 

The Master puts to test. 
The efforts thou dost make, 
The pains that thou dost take, 
These yet may fruitage bear, 

The Master knoweth when 
And why, and how, and where, 
Then wait on Him, be patient, 

Persevere ! 

[62] 



Then up, and to thy work! 
Whate'er thy work may be, 
Lofty, or lowly, if earnest, 
It is holy (in sight of Him 
Who set thee at thy task) . 

Then do thy best, 
And thou canst leave to Jesus Christ 

The rest! 

For bye and bye, 
Somewhere above the sky, 

Thy Soul shall wing its way, 
And find in heaven 

Thy coronation day. 
Then hast thou spelled success 

In letters bright and large, 
Because thou hast been faithful 

To thy holy, lowly charge! 



[6 3 ] 



THE LORD'S PRAYER 

(Totally Unselfish) 

Thou canst not say the Lord's prayer, 

And make one selfish plea; 
Thou canst not pray the Lord's prayer, 

And even once say "Me." 
For it's "Our," "Our," "Our," 

And it's "Us," "Us," "Us." 
And a fourth time it says "Our," 

And a fourth time it says "Us." 

Thou canst not say the Lord's prayer, 

And even once say "I," 
Nor canst thou say the Lord's prayer, 

And even once say "My." 
Nor canst thou say the Lord's prayer, 

And pray not for another, 
For when thou askest daily bread, 

Thou must include thy brother! 

For it's "Us," "Us," "Us," 

And it's "Our," "Our," "Our." 
As free from selfish motive 

As the fragrance of a flower. 
For others are included 

In each and every plea, 
For from beginning through to end, 

It does not once say "Me"! 

[64] 



PRESCRIPTION No. 1 

(To administer to delinquent subscribers for state 
Sunday school papers, or any religious papers. Used 
very successfully by the writer while he was editor of 
The Indiana "Awakener." Free use can be made of 
them by any religious paper if they will kindly give 
credit to this little volume.) 




The Editor sits in ww-"easy chair," 
Running- his fingers through his hair 
(What little he's left of it). On his face 
Is many a wrinkled, tear-stained trace 
Of a dreadful night he has jolted through, 
Riding a "night-mare" barebacked, too! 
Dreaming and wondering what he can say 
To compel delinquent subscribers to pay! 
And to actually, literally move 'em to tears 
When they find how long they have been in 
arrears ! 

[65] 



And yet do it all in such good-natured way: 
Such a handsome and winsome and comforting 

way 
As to leave them all glad instead of all mad, 
Though it captured the last red cent they all had ! 
He remembers how many and many a time 
His duns have gone out in good-natured rhyme, 
And then, for a change, as every one knows, 
The next time he'd fire it at 'em in prose! 
Well, all these bombardments did more or less 

good 
("Less" being emphasized more than it should). 
For many forgot it, while others neglected, 
Though probably all of them fully expected 
To pay right away, and intended to Do It ! 
But somehow or other they didn't get to it ! 
While others paid up with such pretty apology 
That the Editor sang the long-metre doxology ! 
And now he is hoping to sing it again! 
Yes, again and again, and again and Again. 
And the way, dear subscriber, to start up his 

song, 
Is to now send the money you've owed him so 

long. 



ANOTHER DOSE! NUMBER TWO 

Oh! would that I were able 
To write an JEsop's fable 

With a "moral" to it, frankly, kindly saying, 

r 66 1 



To the readers of this paper, 
Tis not the proper caper 

To continue to receive it without paying! 

Of course, we have no moral 
(Much less have we a quarrel) 

With those whose subs are paid up every 
whit; 
But they who have neglected 
To renew are all expected 

To either stop the paper or remit! 

All this we say most kindly, 
And we hope no one will blindly 

Ignore the call. Oh, no ! we beg you, Don't ! 
But hasten quick to show us, 
You'll pay up what you owe us, 

Or kindly write and tell us that you won't! 

But before you reach the don't, 
And decide to say you won't, 

Please consider that the money's not intended 
To pacify a creditor, 
Or cake and pie an editor, 

But to help a worthy cause it is expended. 

Then send the money cheerfully, 
Or, if you'd rather, tearfully, 

Just so you send it and we get our pay. 
And when you have remitted, 
Thank God you are permitted, 

To "lend a hand" and help along the way ! 

[6 7 ] 



DOSE NUMBER THREE 

An Effort or Two to Make Them Renew 
"A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse." 

Yes, but nods and winks, 
And prods and blinks, 

All go for naught 
With some "delinques." 
For we've nodded and nodded, 

And winked and winked, 
And prodded and prodded, 

And blinked and blinked, 
And lain awake nights, 

And thinked and thinked, 
For something to* say 
That would make them pay! 
But still they postpone it 

From day to day, 
While the editor pines 

And pines away. 
And the printer? 
He pines and pines and pines, 
And waits and waits and Waits! 

P. S. — Dear Subscriber: 
If above fits you, 
You'll know what to do! 

[68] 



MARCH WEATHER 

The weather is bad, 
And that is sad, 
Because it makes 
Some Christians mad. 
And they'll complain, 
Again and again, 
Whenever it rains 
A wet little rain. 

Or else they will sigh, 
And fret and cry, 
Whenever the weather 
Is most too dry; 
And, I am told, 
They'll snarl and scold 
Whenever it gets 
Too hot or cold. 

O Christians! for shame 
You are much to blame; 
God sent all the weather 
That ever came. 
So whether it's wet 
Or dry, don't fret, 
For God's kind of weather 
Is all you'll get! 

[6 9 ] 



MR. y 2 HEARTED CHRISTIAN 

"Get Off the Nest !" 

It is often too cold, or else it's too hot, 

It may be too wet or too dry, is it not ? 

For a y 2 hearted Christian to do Christian work, 

For to him it comes natural and easy to> shirk. 

If elected to office in some Sunday-school' 
Association — why then, as a rule, 
He'll take it and keep it all winter and spring, 
All summer and autumn, and not do a thing! 

He seems to forget that he was expected 
To do a few things when he was elected. 
But why expect him to be a bee-hive 
When only l / 2 of his heart is alive? 

For haven't I told you that in Christian work, 
It is natural for Mr. T / 2 Hearted to shirk? 
You see from his work he is easily diverted, 
Because he was never but slightly converted! 

Oh ! he'll get on the nest, to be sure, and he'll set, 
And he'll set, and he'll set, and he'll set, and he'll 

set! 
But he doesn't hatch anything all through the 

year: 
Just keep on a settin' ! O dear, he's so queer ! 

[70] 



In closing, I think it would be rather nice 
For Mr. y 2 Hearted to take some advice ! 
And I'd like to give it, with emphatic zest: 
If you just won't hatch nothiri , 
Get off of the nest! 



A FAVORITE SONG 

"Bringing in the sheaves, 
"Bringing in the sheaves," 
We do not like to miss a verse! 
But when the meeting adjourns we soon forget 
the song and leave the sheaves to come 
alone — like this: 




[71] 



JOHN TRUEMAN 

John Trueman was a noble-man, 
And you can bet your hat, 

That when John said he'd do a thing, 
The thing he did was that! 

And I've been told, and I'll tell you, 
And you don't need to laugh, 

He'd sooner break his neck in two 
Than break his word in half ! 



John was a County President, 
And when he was elected 

It looked to all quite evident 
He'd Do the things expected. 

John did not put it off and off, 
Till more convenient date, 

And then just put it off again 
Until it was too late ! 

But when the year was ended, 
As years most always do, 

John showed that he'd expended 
Both time and money, too ! 

[72] 



He'd traveled seven hundred mile 
Within his counties' borders. 

The reason? Well, you need not smile, 
He did not wait for orders! 

But forged ahead with might and main, 

And kept himself agoin', 
And never stopped to ascertain 

Which way the wind was bio win'. 

John never did a thing by halves, 
Nor quarters, and 'tis stated, 

That when John gave statistics, 
They were never "estimated" I 

To every township John had gone, 

Exactly as he should, 
And organized them everyone, 

Because he'd said he would ! 

At every school John visited, 

Before he had departed, 
He talked the Home Department up, 

And helped them get it started ! 

And you know well (and so do I), 
To state the fact in rhyme, 

When people really want a thing, 
They'll get it, every time ! 

Well, when the year had rolled away 
(As everyone expected), 

[73] 



Why, on the next convention day, 
Good John was re-elected ! 

And he finally said he'd take it 
(After balkin' for a minute), 

Because he was so modest like, 
And 'cause his heart was in it! 

And now good-bye, John Trueman ! 

You live the life that wins; 
You've done the work of two men : 

God bless you ! Are you twins? 



74 



"UNCLE SAM AND HIS MOTHER" 

The World's Third Sunday-school Conven- 
tion met in London, July 11-16, 1898. 

Most of the delegates, including the writer 
and his wife, crossed the ocean in a British boat 
named "The Catalonia" (a Cunard steamer), 
manned by a British crew and guided by a Brit- 
ish captain. 

There were about two hundred Americans on 
board, including several Canadians. 

It was July 1st. Three days later these two 
hundred Americans would be near the middle o'f 
the ocean, in a British boat, on the Fourth of 
July! and, wtiat then? Should they keep still, 
and forget what day it was? They never did 
that way at home ! Could they not even whistle 
the first verse of "Yankee Doodle" and would 
just one firecracker be one too many? There 
were the British all around us ! Should we cele- 
brate the day we licked them right on their own 
boat? 

Well, whether we should or shouldn't, that 
was exactly what we did! And we "did it up 
brown," too! And the British crew, and the 
captain, too, looked on and listened and enjoyed 
the fun as much as those who made it. 

A committee was appointed to prepare a suit- 

[75] 



able program, appoint the orators, poets, and 
musicians, and it fell to the lot of the writer to 
be a member of that committee, and he was 
ordered to write an appropriate poem for the 
occasion. 

In vain did he protest. He told the commit- 
tee he could write a poem on land easily enough ; 
and he could write a poem when he had a head- 
ache, or a backache, or a toothache, but whether 
he could write one with a stomachache, of the 
seasick variety, he did not know, for the good 
reason that he had never tried to. 

But even this sensible protest was voted 
down, the committee ignored it, and went right 
on with the program, and the writer ground out 
the following: 



[76] 



A KIND OF A "TEA PARTY" 

"Saw Such Stars and Felt Such Stripes" 




UNCLE SAM AND HIS MOTHER 

(Copyrighted 1898.) 

Some hundred and twenty years ago, 
When "Uncle Sam" was a boy, you know, 
He and his mother got into a muss, 
That resulted in serious family fuss. 

His mother had tried to make him pay 

For her support in a liberal way; 

And when he declared that it was not right 

She concluded to spank him with all her might. 

[77] 



So she drew him across her spacious knee, 
And applied her slipper so hard, that he, 
Saw such stars and felt such stripes 
As gave him a serious spell of the gripes. 

But little Sam was a sturdy chap, 

So he managed to slip from his mother's lap, 

And, though black and blue from his mother's 

shoe, 
He made up his mind just what he would do — 

He would sever his mother's apron-string, 
And show the old lady this one thing : 
That Independence was in his veins, 
And similar stuff was in his brains. 

His stern old mother was very sad, 

And as a matter of fact, she was very mad. 

It almost broke her dear old heart 

For her wayward son to "act so smart." 

She mourned the day he gave her the slip, 
And showed that he'd grown too big to whip, 
But such seemed the case; and to tell the rest 

of it 
Would show she decided to make the best of it. 

So she gave him a great big farm of his own 
((Because she couldn't keep it), and let him 
alone ; 

[78] 



Which was just what he wanted, and, 'twixt you 

and me, 
It turned out that it suited him just to a T. 



Well, time moved on, and on, and on, 
And kept on moving, just right along. 
Then moved some more, and kept on still, 
A-moving along, as time always will. 

Meantime, Uncle Sam was doing his best 
On his great big farm far off to the West ; 
<He worked all day and half the night, 
.Then worked some more, with all his might. 

His fields were so fruitful, his crops were so 

great, 
That 'twould take a smart man to exaggerate 
The quantity, quality, value and taste, 
Of the produce he raised on that farm in the 

West. 

While his flocks and his herds — well, permit me 

to state, 
Are entirely too numerous to enumerate. 
And to this truthful statement I'll whisper 

another — 
He's been shipping his surplus back to his 

mother! 

[79} 



Of course, she pays for it well, as she should, 
But she doesn't object, for she owns it tastes 

good ; 
And if pressed for an answer, I think she'd 

admit, 
That it tastes all the better 'cause Sammy 

raised it. 

And it's beginning to seem, if we draw it quite 

mild, 
That old mother is feeling quite proud of her 

child. 
And Sammy? Well, Sammy is full to the brim, 
And as proud of his mammy as she is of him. 

And I have a notion as big as the ocean, 
That the first thing you know, this mutual devo- 
tion 
Will lead Uncle Sam and his venerable mother, 
To, right out in public, embrace one another! 

For when, in the course of events, cruel Spain 
Permitted some villain to blow up the Maine, 
And trouble grew out of it, everyone knows 
The attitude Mammy took toward Sammy's foes. 

And the very same slipper which once felt so bad, 
Is the identical slipper which now makes him 

glad; 
For mother won't use it on Sammy again, 
But, if occasion requires, she'll use it on Spain! 

[80] 

11 « 5 



And so it all happens that you and that I 
Are invited to celebrate Fourth of July, 
Aboard British vessel, amid British crew — 
And the captain mill furnish the fireworks, too! 

And we have a "flag raising" the two flags com- 
bined, 

"Union Jack" and "Old Glory" together en- 
twined. 

O long may they wave in the breezes together, 

In sunshine and shadow, in fair and foul weather. 

And as long as this world on its axis still spins, 
May these flags hold together like Siamese twins. 
And whenever, on land and on sea, they're 

unfurled — 
May they preach the good gospel of peace to the 

world — 
And good will to men. 



[81] 














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